Point-of-sale enablement of optical storage media

ABSTRACT

A locking mechanism for an optical storage medium comprises a first portion that is installed on the optical storage medium and a second portion that is lockable to the first portion. When the first and second portions are locked together, the optical storage medium is unusable to access data stored thereon.

BACKGROUND

Theft of optical storage media such as compact disc read-only memory (CDROM) and digital video disc (DVD) media results in substantial lossesfor retailers of such media.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention,reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows an optical storage medium usable in conjunction withvarious embodiments;

FIG. 2 shows a security mechanism comprising a counterweight on theoptical storage medium in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates an imbalance caused by the counterweight as theoptical storage medium spins in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates a security mechanism comprising two portions lockedtogether by way of an adhesive in accordance with various embodiments;

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate another security mechanism comprising twoportions locked together by way of rotating members in accordance withvarious embodiments;

FIG. 7 illustrates a yet another security mechanism comprising a pair ofcurved portions that fit about an outer edge of the optical storagemedium;

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional side view of the security mechanism ofFIG. 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates the curved portions of FIG. 7 in an unlockedconfiguration; and

FIG. 10 shows a method in accordance with various embodiments.

NOTATION AND NOMENCLATURE

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claimsto refer to particular system components. As one skilled in the art willappreciate, computer companies may refer to a component by differentnames. This document does not intend to distinguish between componentsthat differ in name but not function. In the following discussion and inthe claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in anopen-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including,but not limited to . . . .” Also, the term “couple” or “couples” isintended to mean either an indirect, direct, optical or wirelesselectrical connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a seconddevice, that connection may be through a direct electrical connection,through an indirect electrical connection via other devices andconnections, through an optical electrical connection, or through awireless electrical connection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The various embodiments described herein provide techniques for securingan optical storage medium such as a CD ROM or DVD. By securing theoptical storage medium as described herein the medium is renderedunusable thereby providing a deterrent to theft. Equipment at thepoint-of-sale (POS) removes or defeats the security mechanism therebyrendering the medium usable to a lawful purchaser.

FIG. 1 illustrates an optical storage medium 10 (also referred to as a“disc”). The optical storage medium 10 comprises a center hole 12 and adata region 14. Between the data region 14 and the center hole 12 is aregion 14 in which data is not stored. In some embodiments region 14 istransparent. The optical storage medium 10 comprises polycarbonate orother suitable material.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment in which the optical storage medium 10comprises a security mechanism 20 formed in the non-data region 14. Inother embodiments, the security mechanism 20 is provided in anotherregion of the medium 10. In at least one embodiment, material comprisingthe storage medium 10 (i.e., polycarbonate) is absent in regions 22, 24and 26 thereby forming a longitudinal portion 32. Due to its shape, thelongitudinal portion 32 is also referred to as a “peninsula.” Thematerial that otherwise would fill regions 22, 24, and 26 may be removed(e.g., laser cut) after the storage medium is formed. In otherembodiments, the peninsula 32 is formed while the storage medium 10 isbeing formed.

The peninsula 32 connects to the region 14 of the optical storage mediumat a connecting region 39 as shown. The center region 28 of thepeninsula 32 is devoid of storage medium material (polycarbonate) aswell. A counterweight 30 is provided in the center region 28. Thecounterweight 30 comprises lead or other suitable material. Thecounterweight 30 may be provided in the form of a disk or sphere orother suitable shape. In at least some embodiments, the weight of thecounterweight 30 is substantially equal to the weight of the storagemedium material that otherwise would occupy regions 22, 24, and 26. Forexample, the weight of the counterweight 30 is within 10% of the weightof the storage medium material that otherwise would occupy regions 22,24, and 26. The counterweight 30 is attached to the center region 28 ofthe security mechanism 20 by an adhesive, by press fitting thecounterweight into the center region 28, or via another suitablemechanism.

The peninsula 32 generally comprises three edges 33, 35, and 37 as showngenerally adjacent edges 27, 23, and 25 of the rotating storage medium10 opposite regions 26, 22 and 24, respectively. The peninsula is afunctional cantilever in some embodiments. The peninsula is held inplace by hinge point 39 when no centrifugal force is applied (whichotherwise would be applied during rotation of the optical storagemedium. At the factory, an adhesive 31 is placed in region 24. In someembodiments, the adhesive 31 comprises a two-part adhesive (e.g., anepoxy). One part fills some or all of region 24. The other part of theadhesive is embedded in a micro-encapsulated form within the first partof the adhesive. That is, the second adhesive part is contained withinmultiple small spheres. The spheres in this and other embodiments aremade of, for example, proteins, polysaccharides, starches, waxes, fats,natural and synthetic polymers or resins, etc. Each sphere alsocomprises metal filings or other material capable of rupturing thespheres from within when such material is resonated.

The first part of the adhesive has a relatively low, or no, bondstrength. Prior to the point-of-sale (POS), the multipart adhesive isnot mixed together and thus does not function as an adhesive. At the POS(or other desired time), the optical storage medium 10, and inparticular, the security mechanism 20, is exposed to a magnetic fieldsuitable to cause the metal filings within the spheres to resonatethereby breaking open the spheres and releasing the second adhesivepart. At that point, the two parts of the adhesive mix together therebyforming the complete adhesive which has a bond strength much greaterthan the bond strength of the just the first adhesive part. Once the twoparts of the adhesive mix together, the peninsula 32 is locked in placeat the resting position shown in FIG. 2. That is, although centrifugalforce on the counterweight 30 while the storage medium is spinning willtend to force the counterweight 30 and thus the peninsula 32 to theouter edge of the storage medium, the bond strength of the completedadhesive great enough to prevent the peninsula 32 from moving. Becausethe weight of the counterweight 30 is substantially equal to the weightof the storage medium material that otherwise would occupy regions 22,24, and 26, once the peninsula is locked in place, the optical storagemedium 10 remains balanced while it is spun at operating speeds toaccess data stored thereon or write data.

If the adhesive 31 is not subjected to a magnetic field suitable tobreak open the micro-encapsulated spheres, the adhesive will not becompleted, and the bond strength of the first adhesive part will beinsufficient to prevent the peninsula 32, at least in part under theinfluence of the counterweight 30, from being forced to the outside(away from hole 12) when the disk is spun. FIG. 3 illustrates theorientation of the peninsula 32 if the peninsula is not lockedsufficiently while being spun. The peninsula 32 bends away from hole 12in the direction of arrow 41 and toward edge 27. As a result, theoptical storage medium 10 becomes unbalanced which generally prevents alaser from accurately tracking the storage medium thereby rendering theoptical data storage medium unusable for reading the data stored thereonor for writing new data to the storage medium. Consequently, stealingsuch a storage medium is pointless.

In at least some embodiments, the magnetic field suitable for rupturingthe spheres encapsulating the adhesive part comprises a magnetic fieldhaving a field strength in the range of 100 to 10,000 Gauss and afrequency in the range of 50 to 10,000 Hz. Other magnetic fields arepossible as well.

In some embodiments, each part of the adhesive, along with metalfilings, is provided in micro-encapsulated form. Thus, a first group ofspheres contains one part of the adhesive and a second group of spherescontains the other part of the adhesive. Both groups of spheres areprovided in region 24 in the security mechanism. Upon exposure to theresonant magnetic field, both groups of spheres rupture releasing theiradhesive parts thereby creating the complete adhesive to lock thepeninsula 32 in place.

In various embodiments, a colored dye (e.g., green) is included withinat least some of the spheres. The release of the dye upon rupturing ofthe spheres causes the color of the region 24 to change therebyproviding a visual indicator to a person that the peninsula 32 has beenlocked and the optical storage medium 10 is ready for proper use.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a security mechanism. FIG. 4 isa cross-sectional side view of the optical storage medium 10 providedinside of a case 40 (e.g., a plastic case in which the storage medium 10is shipped and sold). In this embodiment, the case 40 contains a holethat generally aligns with the hole 12 of the optical storage medium 10when the storage medium is placed in the case. The security mechanism inthe embodiment of FIG. 4 comprises a first portion 52 that is insertableinto the center hole 12 of the optical storage medium 10. The securitymechanism also comprises a second portion 50 that is lockable to thefirst portion 52 via an adhesive 54.

The first portion 52 comprises a cap 53 and center post 55 that extendsat least partially into the hole 12 of the storage medium, as well asthe corresponding hole of the case 40. The diameter H1 of the cap 53 islarger than the diameter H2 of the hole. The second portion 50 alsocomprises a cap 59 that has a diameter larger than the diameter H2 ofthe hole. The second portion 50 may also comprise a center post 61 and,in some embodiments, center post 61 may also extend at least partiallyinto the hole 12. The two portions 50 and 52 are brought together fromopposite sides of the rotating storage medium 10 and locked togetherusing an adhesive 54. The adhesive has a bond strength sufficientlygreat to prevent the two portions 50 and 52 from being pulled apartwithout damaging the rotating storage medium which would render thestorage medium unusable for accessing data stored thereon. Further, evenif the security mechanism of FIG. 4 is attached just to the opticalstorage medium 10 and not also to the case 40, the optical storagemedium 10 cannot be installed into a computer or other player because ofthe presence of the security mechanism. Consequently, the opticalstorage medium 10 cannot be used with the security mechanism in placeand forced removal of the security mechanism will damage the storagemedium.

The adhesive 54 used in the security mechanism of FIG. 4 comprisesmicro-encapsulated dissolvent. The micro-encapsulated dissolvent issuitable for sufficiently reducing the bond strength of the adhesive 54to thereby enable the two portions of the security mechanism to bepulled apart without damaging the optical storage medium. In someembodiments, the dissolvent is one of, or a mixture of two or more of,acetone, xylene and alcohol. Metal filings are also included within themicro-encapsulated dissolvent. In the presence of a suitable magneticfield, the metal filings resonate thereby rupturing the spherescontaining the dissolvent. Once released, the dissolvent reacts with theadhesive to reduce the adhesive's bond strength. In some embodiments,the magnetic field suitable for rupturing the spheres encapsulating thedissolvent comprises a magnetic field having a field strength in therange of 100 to 10,000 Gauss and a frequency in the range of 50 to10,000 Hz. Other magnetic fields are possible as well. The magneticfield can be applied, for example, at the point-of-sale which permitsthe security mechanism to be removed from the storage medium and itscase.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate another embodiment of a security mechanism. Theembodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 is similar to that of FIG. 4 in that thesecurity mechanism comprises a first portion 70 and a second portion 72that lock together in the hole of the rotating storage medium. The firstportion 70 comprises a cap 71 that has a diameter H3 that is larger thanthe diameter H2 of the hole 12. A center post 73 extends through thehole 12 to the opposite side of the rotating storage medium. A pair ofrotating members 75 are also provided on the first portion 70. Each ofthe rotating members 75 can be rotated between a first position and asecond position. In the first position, the rotating members are rotatedoutward into a locked position shown in FIG. 5. The second position isillustrated in FIG. 6 in which the rotating members 75 are rotatedinward to an unlocked position. A spiral spring 73 is provided with eachrotating member 75 in a longitudinal post 85 about which each rotatingmember 75 rotates. The springs 73 are arranged to force the rotatingmembers 75 into the outward locked position (FIG. 5). The rotatingmembers 75 comprise, for example, ferromagnetic material. As such, therotating members can be rotated from the first (locked) to the second(unlocked) position in the presence of a suitable and appropriatelydirectionally-oriented magnetic field. Upon removal of the magneticfield, the springs 77 cause the rotating members 75 to rotate outward tothe locked position. The magnetic field has a strength sufficient toovercome the strength of the springs 77.

The second portion 72 is curved in some embodiments, such as that shownin FIGS. 5 and 6, but can be of any shape. The diameter H4 of the secondportion 72 is larger than the diameter H2 of the hole 12.

To attach the security mechanism of FIGS. 5 and 6, a magnetic fieldapplied to the portion 70. The magnetic field forces the rotatingmembers 75 to rotate inward. The case 40 containing the optical storagemedium 10, or just the optical storage medium, is positioned over theportion 70 such that post 73 extends upward through hole 12. The secondportion 72 is then placed over the rotating members 75. The secondportion 72 comprises inwardly protruding surfaces 79 which define acavity 82. The magnetic field is then removed which causes the rotatingmembers, under the influence of springs 77, to rotate outward into thecavity 82 to the locked position as shown in FIG. 5. The optical storagemedium 10 and case 40 are locked at this point. The second portion 72cannot be removed without damaging the storage medium thereby renderingthe storage medium unusable for storing and reading data.

At the POS, application of the magnetic field causes the rotatingmembers 75 to rotate inward against the force of the springs 77 to theunlocked position (FIG. 6). The second portion 72 can then be removed.With the rotating members still rotated inward, the case 40 is separatedfrom the first portion 70.

In some embodiments, the magnetic field is customized for use at the POSin such a way that it cannot be readily replicated. In some embodiments,the magnetic field strength as well as temporal criteria may beconfigured for the particular magnetic field usable to lock and unlockthe rotating members 75. For example, magnetic field strength of acertain amplitude alone or in combination with spatial and temporalcharacteristics function to provide for mechanism lock/unlock.

FIGS. 7-9 illustrate an embodiment of a security mechanism in the formof a ring that fits over an outer edge 90 of the optical storage medium10. The ring is provided in two curved portions 92 and 94 as illustratedin FIGS. 7 and 9. The two curved portions 92 and 94 are positioned overthe outer edge 90 of the storage medium and glued together usingadhesive 96 and 98.

Each curved portion fits over edge 90 over approximately one-half thecircumference of the optical storage medium 10. FIG. 8 shows across-sectional side view of the storage medium 10 with the curvedportions 92 and 94 in place over edge 90. The curved portions 92 and 94comprise, for example, plastic or metal.

With the curved portions 92 and 94 locked in place on the opticalstorage medium 10, the storage medium cannot be used. In someembodiments, the height H5 or the depth H6 of the curved portions 92, 94are such that the storage medium will not fit into a computer or othermedia player. In other embodiments, even if the storage medium 10 can beinserted into a player, the added weight of the curved portions 92 and94 prevents the optical storage medium from spinning at a correct ratefor the content stored thereon to be read or for writing data to themedium.

The adhesive 96 and 98 used to lock the curved portions 92 and 94together comprise a micro-encapsulated dissolvent such as that describedabove. Thus, at the point of sale, the micro-encapsulated dissolvent isreleased upon exposure to a magnetic field thereby sufficiently reducingthe bond strength of the adhesive so that the two curved portions 92, 94can be pulled apart rendering the optical storage medium usable.

In some embodiments, the optical storage medium 10 resides within agenerally circular case and the curved portions 92 and 94 fit over theouter edge of the case. In other embodiments, the curved portions 92 and94 fit over the outer edge 90 of the optical storage medium and theoptical storage medium 10 is contained within a case. A colored dye (seeabove) is included with the dissolvent and, if at least a portion of thecase is transparent, the change of color provides a visual indicationthat the dissolvent has been released. Once the purchaser opens thecase, the purchaser can easily remove the curved portions.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, all or part of the opticalstorage medium 10 is covered with an absorber, thereby preventing theoptical storage medium in the area so coated from being accessed (e.g.,reads or writes). The area may comprise an identification area of thestorage medium. The identification area comprises data that providesdata readable at POS such as laser amplitude, and wavelength ormodulation frequency for reversal of the effects of the absorber layer.The coating comprises a photosensitive material in some embodiments suchas an absorber that is deactivated at the POS via a light source such asLASER tuned to the “photo bleaching” frequency of the dye. A photoactivematerial of the absorber includes a dye that is bleached uponirradiation with a suitable beam of light of a particular wavelength.One example of the class of dyes usable in this regard comprisespolymethine dyes, particularly indocyanine green, available from AldrichChemical Co., Milwaukee, Wis. The absorption wavelength of the dyegenerally matches the read radiation frequency band. In someembodiments, for example, the absorber absorbs in wavelength band ofradiation of 780±40 nm. Other suitable dyes comprise dyes of theindocyanine class with CAS# numbers 212964-63-1, CAS# 205744-92-9,256520-09-9, 269401-43-6, available form FEW Chemicals GMBH, Wolfen,Germany. Such dyes are bleached with a LASER light having a wavelengthin range of 400-450 nm and a power of 10-50 mw focused to a 20 micronspot diameter. In case of DVDs, where the read radiation frequencies arein the 650 nm band, CAS#514-73-8; CAS# 172491-72-4, CAS#131443-20-4dyes, all available form FEW Chemicals GMBH, Wolfen, Germany, are usedto block all or part of the storage medium coated with such a dye.

In some cases a mixture of various dyes is used to block off thereadability of the coated portion. The dye mixtures comprise a solvent,such as isoprpopanol or octafluoropentanol, and a binder, such aspolyvinyl bytryal or acylate.

Although cyanine dyes are described here, a variety of classes of dyessuch as diazo, fluoran, ployene, anthocyanine, falavonid, indigo,curcumins, can be used as well to block the coated areas of the opticalstorage medium 10, and can be bleached to expose such areas to make thestorage medium readable.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method 100 applicable to some or all of theembodiments described above. At 108, the method 100 comprises attachinga first portion of a security mechanism to the optical storage medium10. At 110, the method comprises locking a second portion of a securitymechanism to the first portion thereby rendering the optical storagemedium unusable.

The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles andvarious embodiments of the present invention. Numerous variations andmodifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once theabove disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the followingclaims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.

1. An apparatus, comprising: an optical data storage medium comprising alongitudinal portion at a resting location; a counterweight attached tosaid optical data storage medium; wherein, unless said longitudinalportion is locked in place, said counterweight causes said longitudinalportion to move from said resting location when said optical datastorage medium is rotated thereby rendering at least some data on saidoptical data storage medium unusable.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1further comprising a locking mechanism that locks said longitudinalportion in place.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said lockingmechanism comprises a micro-encapsulated adhesive.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 2 wherein said locking mechanism comprises a multi-part adhesivewith each part being micro-encapsulated.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1wherein said longitudinal portion is located in a region of said opticaldata storage medium that does not contain data.
 6. A locking mechanismfor an optical storage medium, comprising: a first portion that isinstalled on the optical storage medium; a second portion that islockable to said first portion; wherein, when said first and secondportions are locked together, the optical storage medium is unusable toaccess data stored thereon.
 7. The locking mechanism of claim 6 furthercomprising a case for said optical storage medium, said case comprisinga hole that aligns with a hole of said optical storage medium into whichat least one of said first and second portions are installed when thefirst and second portions are locked together.
 8. The locking mechanismof claim 6 further comprising an adhesive usable to lock the first andsecond portions together.
 9. The locking mechanism of claim 6 furthercomprising a micro-encapsulated adhesive usable to lock the first andsecond portions together.
 10. The locking mechanism of claim 9 whereinthe first and second portions are unlockable when adhesiveness of theadhesive is reduced thereby enabling rotating storage medium to be usedto access said data.
 11. The locking mechanism of claim 9 wherein thefirst and second portions are unlockable when adhesiveness of theadhesive is reduced by a magnetic field thereby enabling optical storagemedium to be used to access said data.
 12. The locking mechanism ofclaim 6 wherein the first portion comprises a rotating member rotatableto a first position to lock the first and second portions together. 13.The locking mechanism of claim 12 wherein the rotating member isrotatable to a second position to unlock the first and second portions.14. The locking mechanism of claim 12 wherein the rotating member isrotatable between lock and unlock positions by a magnetic field, thefirst and second members being locked together when the rotating memberis in the locked position and unlocked when the rotating member is inthe unlocked position.
 15. The locking mechanism of claim 12 wherein therotating member comprises ferromagnetic material.
 16. The lockingmechanism of claim 6 wherein the first portion comprises a post thatextends at least partially into a center hole from a first side of theoptical storage medium.
 17. The locking mechanism of claim 16 whereinthe second portion is lockable to the first portion from a second sideof the optical storage medium.
 18. The locking mechanism of claim 6wherein the first and second portions are curved and fit over an outeredge of the optical storage medium.
 19. A method, comprising: attachinga first portion to an optical storage medium; locking a second portionto said first portion thereby rendering the optical storage mediumunusable for accessing data stored thereon.
 20. The method of claim 19wherein locking the second portion comprises applying an adhesivecontaining a micro-encapsulated dissolvent.
 21. The method of claim 20further comprising applying a magnetic field to release themicro-encapsulated dissolvent to thereby unlock the second portion fromthe first portion.
 22. The method of claim 19 wherein locking the secondportion comprises applying a magnetic field to cause a rotating memberof the first portion to rotate to permit the second portion to be lockedto the first portion.
 23. The method of claim 22 further comprisingapplying the magnetic field to cause the rotating member of the firstportion to rotate to permit the second portion to be unlocked from thefirst portion.
 24. An apparatus, comprising: an optical data storagemedium; and a photosensitive coating on at least a portion of saidoptical data storage medium, said photosensitive coating prevents theportion from being accessed for read or write operations; wherein saidphotosensitive coating is deactivated when exposed to a light source tothereby permit read or write operations from being performed.
 25. Theapparatus of claim 24 wherein the coating comprises a dye.